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CWCM Pre-Service Exam Study Guide
Questions and Correct Answers
adoption and safe families act Ans: federal law stating
permanency must be finalized within 12 months. child's health
and safety is paramount concern. states must preserve and reunify
families, place child in timely manner.
special immigant juvenile status Ans: federal law that assists
undocumented children in obtaining legal permanentt residency.
able to remain and work in US, qualify for in state tuition and
apply for citizenship. can be deported if not granted.
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 Ans: national
minimum standards for activities in the child welfare system.
requires for case plans to include permanence goals and are
reviewed every 6 months to ensure goals are revised and updated.
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Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of
2008 Ans: kinship guardianship assistance option on behalf of
children who have been in foster care of whom a relative is taking
legal guardianship
Indian Child Welfare Act Ans: protects native american heritage
under federal law; if a native american child is involved in
dependency case, the triabl court can take control or intervene the
case. requires CWCM to always determine if child is of native
american heritage. DCF has no jurisdiction on Indian reservations.
interstate compact on the placement of children Ans: procedures
for children placed across state lines. sending state retains
jurisdiction and financial responsibility for child. cannot place
without approval of compact admin of receiving state.
child welfare core principles Ans: 1. health and safety of children
is paramount concern
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2. prevention/intervention by child protection system should
engage families in constructive, supportive and non-adversarial
relationships
3. prevention/intervention should intrude as little as possible into
the life of the family, focused on clearly defined objectives
4. prevention/intervention should be based upon outcomes eval
results that demonstrate success in protecting children and
supporting families
"child" legal definition Ans: any unmarried person under the age
of 18 years who has not been emancipated by order of the court.
birth to 3
teen years Ans: critical windows of development, uniquely tied to
brain development and the relationship child has with their
environment
neglect Ans: most common maltreatment among infants
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, 4 | Page
birth to 5 Ans: children in this age range are the most
represented in the child welfare system
reunification Ans: when children are removed from birth, this is
not a good outcome for:
1. stability in out of home care (no more than 2 moves)
2. achievement of permanency within 12 months of removal Ans:
2 most important performance measures within child well-being
for child welfare system are:
protective capacities Ans: personal characteristics that
specifically and directly relate to the protection of one's child.
trauma Ans: an emotional response to an event. can be intense,
distressing painful and overwhelm your ability to cope. from direct
involvement or witnessing an event.
adverse childhood experience study Ans: study on how childhood
traumatic experiences affect adult health. ACE's rated on a scale of
© 2025 All rights reserved
CWCM Pre-Service Exam Study Guide
Questions and Correct Answers
adoption and safe families act Ans: federal law stating
permanency must be finalized within 12 months. child's health
and safety is paramount concern. states must preserve and reunify
families, place child in timely manner.
special immigant juvenile status Ans: federal law that assists
undocumented children in obtaining legal permanentt residency.
able to remain and work in US, qualify for in state tuition and
apply for citizenship. can be deported if not granted.
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 Ans: national
minimum standards for activities in the child welfare system.
requires for case plans to include permanence goals and are
reviewed every 6 months to ensure goals are revised and updated.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of
2008 Ans: kinship guardianship assistance option on behalf of
children who have been in foster care of whom a relative is taking
legal guardianship
Indian Child Welfare Act Ans: protects native american heritage
under federal law; if a native american child is involved in
dependency case, the triabl court can take control or intervene the
case. requires CWCM to always determine if child is of native
american heritage. DCF has no jurisdiction on Indian reservations.
interstate compact on the placement of children Ans: procedures
for children placed across state lines. sending state retains
jurisdiction and financial responsibility for child. cannot place
without approval of compact admin of receiving state.
child welfare core principles Ans: 1. health and safety of children
is paramount concern
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
2. prevention/intervention by child protection system should
engage families in constructive, supportive and non-adversarial
relationships
3. prevention/intervention should intrude as little as possible into
the life of the family, focused on clearly defined objectives
4. prevention/intervention should be based upon outcomes eval
results that demonstrate success in protecting children and
supporting families
"child" legal definition Ans: any unmarried person under the age
of 18 years who has not been emancipated by order of the court.
birth to 3
teen years Ans: critical windows of development, uniquely tied to
brain development and the relationship child has with their
environment
neglect Ans: most common maltreatment among infants
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
birth to 5 Ans: children in this age range are the most
represented in the child welfare system
reunification Ans: when children are removed from birth, this is
not a good outcome for:
1. stability in out of home care (no more than 2 moves)
2. achievement of permanency within 12 months of removal Ans:
2 most important performance measures within child well-being
for child welfare system are:
protective capacities Ans: personal characteristics that
specifically and directly relate to the protection of one's child.
trauma Ans: an emotional response to an event. can be intense,
distressing painful and overwhelm your ability to cope. from direct
involvement or witnessing an event.
adverse childhood experience study Ans: study on how childhood
traumatic experiences affect adult health. ACE's rated on a scale of
© 2025 All rights reserved
